Our Visit
Any description of the Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, leaves the indelible impression of a resort that has sailed beyond good taste into the perilous waters of ostentatiousness. Acres of polished Italian marble spread from the lobby down halls and stairs, under Aubusson carpets, and into elevators, with enough left over to fill every one of the baths in the 643 rooms and suites. Museum quality art decorates the public spaces. Yet even guests who arrive expecting to be appalled, as I did, soon end up falling under the Phoenician’s spell. Architecturally self-effacing, The Phoenician blends into Camelback Mountain, which rises immediately behind. Its rooms stand out not only for those marble bathrooms but also for their size—none is smaller than 600 square feet—and quietly elegant decor in muted desert colors. All have lanais, the best with views south across the Valley of the Sun. More spacious still are the one- and two-bedroom suites with travertine fireplaces in villas below the swimming pool. All the accommodations are an easy stroll from 27 intimidating holes of golf laid out through the desert (signs warn “Beware of Rattlesnakes”), a new tennis and pickleball center, a New Age spa and fitness center, a Funicians Club for kids ages 5 to 12, and eight food outlets, which range from top-floor J&G Steakhouse, part of the family of renowned restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten to sandwiches, tequilas, and craft brews in Relish Burger Bistro to an ice cream parlor. There is scarcely any reason to leave.
On Court
In May 2018, The Phoenician debuted a brand-new tennis complex. Located on the west drive, it comprises seven, generously spaced tennis courts—one of them a sunken stadium, all with state-of-the-art LED lighting—two pickleball courts, and a half basketball court. These wrap around a new Athletic Club containing an activities center, refreshment area, a retail shop, and second-floor 4.600-square-foot fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on Camelback Mountain and the resort. Tennis Staff: Ivan Rodriguez, who has more than 20 years’ experience coaching and developing programs, heads the operation. He has introduced daily Live Ball drill sessions into a roster than otherwise includes instructional clinics, junior programs for various ages and abilities, player-matching services, and customized group packages. Court Complex: There are seven hard courts, one a sunken stadium, and two permanent pickleball courts. Court fees: The first hour is free for resort guests; $25/hour thereafter.
Off Court
Golf Courses: As designed by Homer Flint, the generally tight, 6,487-yard, par-71 course demands accuracy rather than length. The front 9 is relatively flat, but the middle holes of the back 9, which skirt Camelback Mountain, combine elevation changes with the intimidation of desert rough and probably account for a disproportionately high number of golfers seeking relief at the bar of the 19th Hole. The 14th tee is a tiny island of grass in a sea of desert foliage. Though the drive only needs to carry 50 yards to reach the bent-grass fairway, it must thread a narrow alley formed by 30-foot sentinels of saguaro cactus, all of which bear dozens of black, golf-ball-sized scars. A few, in fact, have golf balls embedded in the woody branches of their upright arms. Anything that falls short or veers right disappears into the desert, though not before flushing out the occasional chukkar partridge. The intimidation continues on the following hole, whose elevated tees on the side of Camelback Mountain can only be reached by hiking up a zigzag path past signs warning to “Beware of Rattlesnakes.” The 115 yards between tee and green contain nothing but cactus, rocks, brittlebush—and, presumably, the odd rattlesnake.
Accommodations
643 rooms and suites; The rooms stand out not only for those marble bathrooms but also for their size—none is smaller than 600 square feet—and quietly elegant decor in muted desert colors. All have lanais, the best with views south across the Valley of the Sun. More spacious still are the one- and two-bedroom suites with travertine fireplaces in villas below the swimming pool.
Getting there
Travel Instructions: The resort is a little less than 8 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
Essential Info
Lodging: Yes Dining: Yes Spa: Yes Pool: Yes Gym: Yes Golf: Yes Beach: No
Photos
Booking and Rates
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Very Good 4 5 reviews My friends and I booked a trip in November for arrival January 23rd – 26th, 2020. We expressed numerous times to the staff at the Phoenician that this was a double birthday trip as well as a tennis trip. A week prior to the trip, I called and booked 3 tennis classes, Friday the Live-ball class at 10:00, and Saturday two classes, the Stroke of the Day and the Live-ball class. I asked to book the Mixed Doubles Social class as well on Friday evening but was told that they have never even had that class. I then asked about reserving the tennis courts for 2 hours each day (we had two rooms and you are given an hour for each room included in your daily resort fee) but was told that they hardly ever book up and we could get a court whenever we wanted it for. On Friday morning, I received a “text” from the tennis instructor, Ivan Rodriguez, and he apologized but there was a resort wide tennis tournament that weekend and we would not be having any classes. REALLY? As this was a planned tennis trip from the beginning. We flew in from Fayetteville, AR to play tennis this weekend. I then tried calling Ivan and he did not answer my call. I texted for him to call me but never heard from him. We then went to the tennis facility to speak to Ivan in person. He said that he would try and do his best to work something out for us. About 2 hours later, I received a text from Ivan offering lunch at the Phoenician Tavern comped and he would have us a court from 3:00-4:00 and a lesson comped on him from 4:00-5:00. That was great news, at least we got 2 of the 3 hours of tennis that we planned to play.. We left at 5 with Ivan telling us that he would comp any tennis for the rest of our trip and would get with us later. I texted him again Saturday morning at 8 to ask about getting a court for us to play on. 3 hours later, I texted him again, as he had not responded. He then texted back and offered us 1 hour at a neighboring tennis court later that afternoon “if” we had transportation. We declined as we did not have transportation and the time he was offering did not work for us as in the 3 hours it took for him to respond, we made other plans. We NEVER heard back from Ivan again. We did not get any tennis time in on Saturday or Sunday! As we were eating at the Tavern, which overlooks the golf course, my friends and I wondered, what would happen if we had been 4 men that booked a golf trip here? And, a week ahead, we booked our tee time for 10:00 on Friday, and again on Saturday. However, the golf pro “texted” us an hour before our tee time to advise that there was a resort wide golf tournament and we would be unable to get on the golf course the entire length of our visit. Do you think that would ever happen? NO, I do not believe it would. I have been home now for 2 days and I am still APPALLED that we spent so much money for a tennis trip where the tennis was pretty much non-existent. I would not recommend staying at this place at all!!!!! We should have had everything we wanted comped and offered a free stay on another weekend where we could have played tennis. January 29, 2020,12:25 pm Like Outstanding tennis facility and excellent level of private instruction by Ivan and his team. This is definitely a 5-star resort with lots of activities beyond tennis which is ideal if you are traveling with non-tennis obsessed family members. What that does mean though is that it may not always be easy to find other guests to play with at your level. At least that was the case for me during my stay. With just a bit more effort (e.g. acquire a couple of ball machines, organize a tennis concierge service) I think the Phoenician has the potential to be a top tennis resort destination. November 24, 2019,6:06 pm Like This is a beautiful and well-run resort, but there is very limited tennis available. Great facility, but it was virtually empty every day I was there. April 16, 2012,9:07 am Like What was once an exceptional tennis program is all but gone. A beautiful, luxury resort with a beautifully equipped tennis facility. Unfortunately, for the serious tennis player, it pretty much ends there. When I last stayed at the Phoenician 3 years ago, there was an vibrant tennis program; a head pro, 3 other teaching pros, lots of players and a variety of lessons and hitting clinics. Now there is one decent pro, but no other clinics to speak of. January 3, 2011,10:18 am Like This resort is beautiful but the tennis is almost nonexistent. The courts are empty and there is no program as far as I am concerned. To rate this as anything more than beautiful courts is misleading. The worst tennis I have experienced at a very expensive cost. I can’t figure out how this resort ever made the top 100. Our vacation was booked based on this resort being on your list and I just wonder the last time someone from your list took a clinic there. Courts are beautiful if you have your own partner to hit with. November 17, 2009,8:42 pm Like This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. 5 Reviews on “ThePhoenician Scottsdale”
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The head pro was on extended medical leave, which possibly explains why little to nothing was going on in terms of clinics. Even over the busy Christmas season, there were only a handful of players around. If you are looking for a luxury golf resort, the Phoenician is an excellent choice. For tennis, look eleswhere. This resort has no business being listed anymore as a top 75 tennis resort; bronze or otherwise. 
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